Amina and Khadija were girls from well-to-do merchant families. They were lucky that their parents loved them very much. This was anything but self-evident. In those times, the Arabs wanted to have sons whom they expected to contribute to their fame and glory, and they looked down on women. Many a father felt ashamed or angry when a daughter was born to him, and it did happen that he buried her alive in the desert in order to get rid of her. The two girl friends grew up in that society and thought about everything they saw and experienced.

Not all the people in Mecca were idol worshippers. There were also Jews from Palestine, Yemen and the city of Yathrib who read ancient scriptures and strictly practised their laws and customs. There were Christians who followed the Prophet 'Isa (a), leading a simple and ascetic life. Among them there was Khadija's cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal who had studied the Christian scriptures and knew many things about Allah, the prophets, the angels, and the Day of Judgement. And finally there were people who were neither Jews nor Christians but tried to find their own way to the One God, praying only to him like their ancestor Ibrahim (a). These people were called Hanifs. But everybody expected that Allah would send another prophet who would remove all doubts and quarrels and show the people a new way for the future.

When Amina and Khadija talked about their thoughts, they often wondered if the expected messenger might come during their lifetime. What a different life it would be! Like 'Isa (a), he would certainly admonish people to love each other and to be sincere. Probably he would, like Musa (a), proclaim a strict law prohibiting people to kill their children and to cheat each other. In any case he would, like Ibrahim (a), call people to believe in the One God, and he would teach a way to come closer to Him. But what if the people did not listen to him? The girls were horrified at the thought of the punishment that would come, just like in the case of former nations who had been unjust and not only rejected their prophets but even sometimes killed them. But at the same time they knew that, a long time ago, Allah had saved Nuh (a) and the believing people and even the animals from destruction. In the same way he would help the believers now.

One day Amina told her friend Khadija a strange dream of hers. In that dream, she had given birth to a baby who later on became Allah's Messenger. But Khadija's dream was equally strange. She had got married with Allah's Messenger and supported him in many difficult situations. The two girls were confused. They clearly felt that there was something special about these dreams. But could they both be true, while they were both nearly the same age? Khadija remembered how her parents had suggested that she could get married with Waraqa bin Nawfal when she was old enough. He was a pious man. Would he be the future messenger? But then Waraqa had vowed never to get married and to live as a monk. So this was not what the dream meant. Well, maybe the dreams did not mean anything after all!

When the two girls had grown up, their parents found a bridegroom for each of them according to the custom in that time. A new exciting phase of life started.

Amina got married with Abdullah, the son of the very respected Abdul-Muttalib. Khadija got married with a young merchant called Abu Hala.

But Amina's happiness did not last long. Abdullah died suddenly on a journey and was buried at Yathrib. Abdul Muttalib tried, with kindness and understanding, to comfort his young daughter-in-law. He knew about her thoughts and dreams, and he even had a dream himself in which he saw that the baby she was expecting would be a very special person some day. When her son was finally born, he gave him the name Muhammad and arranged a generous feast so nobody was reminded hat the boy had to grow up without a father.

In those days babies were not kept in the tight and dusty city during their first years of life but entrusted to a Bedouin wet-nurse who lived in the desert. Even though it was not easy for a mother to separate from her baby, it was better for the baby to grow up in a healthy way with fresh air and a simple lifestyle and to learn the pure Arabic language that was still spoken among the Bedouins. So when Bedouins came to Mecca to sell sheep and camels and to buy supplies, Amina found a wet/nurse called Halima for her baby son. During the following years Amina was often very sad because first she had lost her husband and now also her son was far away. But then she thought about the future and all the joy she would have with a strong and healthy son. And she was not all alone either because she was living with her parents-in-law that looked after her kindly. Every now and then Halima came to see her, bringing little Muhammad with her, and she told her with great reverence about the strange experiences she had had with him. She felt it was a miracle how her sheep and goats had multiplied so she did not have to worry any more. But one day little Muhammad had told her that while he was playing outside an angel had come and washed his heart. When Amina heard this, her heart started pounding and memories of her girlhood dream came back to her. She was ever so happy when, after four long years, she had her son back with her.

Amina often told Muhammad about his father. When he was six years old, she took him for a journey to Yathrib where she visited relatives and showed him Abdullah's grave. But on the return journey to Mecca, Amina died suddenly, and Muhammad was taken back to his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib as a child without parents.

Khadija was an unusual young woman. When she was still a girl, she had often listened when her father talked to other merchants or discussed business with his growing sons, and she kept everything she heard in mind. She had even asked questions sometimes, when there was something that was difficult to understand, and her father had been surprised at her interest and knowledge and explained things to her. Now when she was grown up and married, she could surprise her husband with many a good advice. She gave birth to two boys in the next few years, but then Abu Hala died.

Some time later Khadija got married again. Young women usually did not stay unmarried for a long time, and 'Atiq was a man with a kind heart like herself who shared many of her interests. Khadija made it her habit to help him with his work even when some time after their wedding a girl was born to them. In her spare time she often went to the Ka'ba to pray. The years passed with work, generosity and a happy family life.

One day the plague broke our in Mecca. Many people fell ill. Many of them died, but even then there were medicines with the help of which some people survived the terrible disease and became well again. Khadija and 'Atiq set up a hospital, paid the doctors, bought the medicines and helped themselves treating and nursing the sick. Finally the plague was over. But in the end 'Atiq fell ill himself and died and left his wife with three children.

In the meantime Khadija had gained enough experience to continue the business on her own until the children would have grown up. At first people did not take her serious at all because they could not imagine a woman merchant. But in the course of time they got used to it. Khadija successfully worked with her late husband's capital and overcame every attempt to interfere. She also rejected all suitors who were interested in marrying her in order to get hold of her money. There was only one problem: in those days a woman could not travel abroad like a man for business. She could only employ a representative.

And this is what Khadija did. Every year when the great caravan departed for Syria, she employed a young man who travelled as her representative and did business on her account. She was not always satisfied with the result because the young merchants were clever and skilful but they did not take honesty too serious.

One-day Amina's son Muhammad was there among the applicants for the job. After his mother's death he had first lived with his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib. He had been allowed to follow him everywhere, even to the meetings of the city council, and this way he had been able to learn many things. But only two years later his grandfather had died, and the boy had gone to live with his uncle Abu Talib. Abu Talib loved his nephew dearly, but he had a large family and many worries. Every member of the family had to contribute to the livelihood. As a boy Muhammad had contributed by looking after people's sheep. Later on, his uncle had taken great care to teach him everything he had to know for his future profession as a merchant. Once he had even taken him for a journey to Syria. Khadija's offer was just right. But would she accept his application?

Khadija had already heard about Muhammad. In fact he was well known in Mecca because everybody could rely on him. For this he had got the nickname Al-Amin (the Trustworthy). Many people entrusted their valuables to his care when they went on a journey. Once Muhammad had sold a camel, but when the buyer was about to leave with it, he had noticed that it could not walk properly. He promptly called the buyer back and returned his money to him. Khadija had heard all this. But would the young man be a competent representative?

Khadija decided to try. She gave him the goods together with the instructions and sent a slave called Maisara along to help Muhammad with difficult work and to report to her afterwards. Then she waited for his return.

The more she was satisfied afterwards when Muhammad gave his account of the journey. According to their agreement he kept half of the profit as a salary. He had been honest and correct - according to Maisara's report - and he had treated people with kindness and respect, even him, the slave. Nor did he spend his leisure time in the wine house like other young merchants, but he had rested and reflected. But at the same time he was not out of the world. This was obvious from the good profit he brought back with him. Khadija was impressed.

In the days to come, Khadija could not forget Muhammad. She decided to employ him again for next year's trip to Syria. But that was not all. From her interview with him she knew something of his thoughts about faith and justice, very similar to her own thoughts. She had learned that he belonged to a group of young men called Hilf al-Fudul who defended the rights of the poor in Mecca. An amazing young man! What if she could share her life with him? But he was still young. Wouldn't he prefer to marry a younger woman?

Khadija asked an old woman to find out how Muhammad thought about it. But it appeared that he had not thought about marriage at all yet. It was rather expensive to start a new household, and Muhammad used to give all the money he earned to his uncle. Khadija then let him know that money would not be the problem, and when he agreed to the marriage she only had to talk her uncle 'Umar bin Asad into signing the marriage contract for her because in those days women could not do that for themselves.

People in Mecca had rarely seen a happier couple than Khadija and Muhammad. They were both involved in their business. They agreed to set the men and women slaves in their household free, and Muhammad adopted one of them, Zaid, as his son. In the course of time, four daughters and three sons were born to them. Their happiness was overshadowed when the three boys died, but they joyfully watched the girls growing up. They also gave a home to Ali, Abu Talibs youngest son. When the girls were old enough, Zainab got married with Abul 'As, son of Khadija's sister, and Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum each married one of Abu Lahab's sons. Only Fatima, the youngest, was left with her parents.

Muhammad had always been withdrawn and thoughtful. In the course of time Khadija felt that he mote and more needed to be on his own in order to pray and meditate and reflect. He often had dreams that made him think, showing him many a true insight. How well she could understand him! She had seen her share of happiness and sorrow in her own life, and she had seen a lot of injustice and nonsense. There was the seemingly endless gap between rich and poor; and how much effort it took even to meet the greatest needs! Whatever help they could give seemed like a drop of water on a hot stone because the rich and powerful people had nothing on their minds but their own advantages. Even religion was exploited for their purposes.

Every year in the month of Ramadan, Muhammad, Khadija and the children left the city and went to live in a tent close to the mountain of Hira. They prayed and fasted and gave food to the poor who came by. Muhammad would take some dates, bread and water and go into the desert all by himself. One day he stayed away for a long time so that Khadija started worrying. She sent a servant to look for him but he could not find him anywhere. Only some days later he suddenly came back again. He was deeply shaken and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" Khadija took some warm blankets and wrapped him up and sat down by his side. He was not sick, was he? Obviously there was no fever. When he had calmed down, she asked, "Where have you been? I got worried and sent someone to look for you." Then he told her what he had experienced. When he had been deeply in prayer in a cave on Mount Hira, an angel had appeared to him and shown him a heavenly scripture and said, "Read!" Muhammad had explained in vain that he could not read, but the angel had squeezed him hard and finally recited the words to him so that they were engraved in his heart forever. This experience was so shaking that Muhammad did not know any more what his future would hold for him.

Khadija's heart missed a beat. She felt very clearly what that meant. She struggled to control her excitement and said, "Allah certainly does not want anything evil to happen to you. You have always been a good and sincere man. Allah has chosen you to be His messenger. You must be patient now."

Muhammad was exhausted, and when he had fallen asleep Khadija went into the city to see her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal who had become an old man in the meantime. With her heart beating loudly Khadija told him about Muhammad's experience. "Holy! Holy!" exclaimed Waraqa, "By Him in whose hands my soul is! If you have told me the truth, the angel Gabriel has come to Muhammad just as he came to Moses, and he is the prophet of this nation. Tell him to have patience." A strange unknown joy took hold of Khadija.

During the following months Muhammad taught Khadija a new way of prayer that he himself had learned from Gabriel and that resembled the prayer of Father Ibrahim. They prayed together everyday. One day Ali watched them doing this. "What are you doing?" he asked when they had finished. Muhammad then told him how he had received a revelation from Allah telling him to worship Him alone and to invite others to do the same. "I never heard anything like that," replied Ali. "It makes sense, and I would like to join you. But I have to talk to my father first and ask his permission." But in the next morning he said, "Allah did not ask my father's permission when He created me, so I do not need his permission when I want to worship Allah." From then on he prayed everyday with Muhammad and Khadija. Later on Zaid, the girls and Khadija's children proclaimed their faith in the One God.

Khadija could nor contain her joy. While Muhammad told his friends about his divine task and Abu Bakr and later on Uthman, Zubair, Abdurrahman bin Awf, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas, Talha and some others turned to Islam, Khadija told her women friends and relatives. Several men and women thus joined the Prophet until the news got around in the city. Three years passed. Finally Muhammad was told to proclaim his message to the Quraish in public. He invited the representatives of the leading families for a meal, but when he got up to start speaking, Abu Lahab, one of his uncles, shouted, "He only wants to impress you." And he made taunting remarks at everything Muhammad said. He was most annoyed when Muhammad rejected the idolatry and criticised the dishonesty and injustice of Meccan society. In the course of time he hated the Prophet and Islam enough to make his sons divorce Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum and to send them back to their parents. He also incited people against Muhammad and the Muslims.

The leading men in the city of Mecca now tried to make Muhammad change his mind. They offered him money and power, and when he ignored their offers they tried to blackmail him with threats against his relatives or to make fun of him by demanding miracles. When they had to realise that all was in vain, they directed their frustration against the weak ones among the Muslims, the slaves, the young people who were dependent on their parents, and the poor ones. Thus Bilal, an Abessinian slave, was taken into the desert by his cruel master who then left him lying there in the hot midday sun with a heavy stone on his chest either to die or to renounce Islam. But Bilal went on proclaiming his faith in the One God, and finally Abu Bakr saved him by buying his freedom. Abu Bakr also freed other male and female slaves who had been mistreated by their masters, but sometimes help came too late.

In this difficult time Khadija stood at her husband's side to support him courageously. She freely gave part of her own money to free slaves and help the poor. She granted protection to persecute Muslims, treated those who suffered from wounds inflicted by their tormentors and comforted those who were depressed by their situation. In those days the Muslims had to meet secretly whenever they wanted to pray or learn together, and a young man called Arqam let them use his house on the hill of Safa for that purpose. Khadija looked after everybody like a good mother and, through her example, motivated many women and girls to do the same. In spite of all difficulties she did what she could to give her husband a chance to relax and find peace. With great love and affection she comforted Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum and looked after young Fatima who grew up to be a perfect mirror image of her father.

Soon afterwards Ruqayyah married Uthman who came from a respected family but had been rejected and mistreated by them because of Islam. Khadija was happy to see her daughter at the side of a husband who shared her faith and was committed to it. But soon she had to say farewell to her and her new son-in-law. For when the persecution against the Muslims increased, the Prophet made those who had to suffer the most emigrate to Abessinia. Uthman and Ruqayyah were responsible for the wellbeing of this group during the long and difficult journey and during their stay there.

At this emigration the idolaters in Mecca were even more furious. They saw in it a kind of treason. Maybe they just were afraid that the Muslims could persuade the Abbessinian emperor to help them with his troops. Anyway they sent messengers to persuade the emperor to treat the Muslims as traitors and rebels and expel them from the country. However, the emperor checked the matter himself. He found out that the Muslims really were persecuted because of their religion, which, by the way, resembled his own Christian religion very much, and he readily granted them protection.

The angrier were the idolaters. When they saw that all their plans failed, they thought how they could kill Muhammad or drive him out of the city. Khadija often had enough reason to worry when Muhammad went out alone. Already people had tried to strangle him while he was praying near the Ka'ba, and Abu Bakr who interfered in the last minute to save him had nearly been beaten to death himself. Sometimes Muhammad had come home and she had cleaned him from the dirt that evil people had thrown on him, or she had bandaged his wounds after his enemies had attacked him. But she trusted in Allah.

The Muslims went on meeting secretly in Arqam's house or sometimes outside the city in the desert. They learned from the Prophet everything that had been revealed to him. They learned what it meant to worship One God only, how to purify themselves and to pray, but also how to live together in a community with love, justice, and peace. Sometimes they also trained defending themselves against their enemies' vicious attacks.

One day Muhammad told Khadija about an incident that caused great joy. Originally it all started with 'Umar, a fierce enemy of Islam, went out, his sword drawn, in order to kill the Prophet. He had found out where the Muslims met, and he was wildly determined not to come home after having achieved his goal. However, h had met a man on his way who had mockingly told him to set right the affairs of his own family first. "What do you mean?" 'Umar had shouted, and he had been told that his own sister had already turned to Islam. Angrily he had walked to the house in which she lived with her husband, and already from far away he had heard the Qur'an being recited inside. His furious knocks at the door were followed by a horrified silence. Then his brother-in-law had opened the door, and 'Umar had attacked him with his fists straightaway until his sister had interfered to protect her husband and herself was hit hard so that her nose started bleeding. At this, 'Umar had got scared. At the same time it had made him curious to find out how his sister suddenly had become so brave, and he had asked her to recite some of the revelation to him. First she was suspicious, but finally she had taken out the pages she had hidden in her dress. 'Umar had been quite impressed by what he had heard then. He went straight to the Prophet in order to accept Islam. His companions who had known his earlier attitude had, at first, refused to admit him to the house. The greater their surprise and joy was now.

'Umar was by no means satisfied with secretly meeting for congregational prayers but prayed all in public near the Ka'ba. More and more Muslims did the same and felt their increasing strength. Nobody dared to attack them during prayer any more. Many a passer-by stood to watch curiously, and occasionally curiosity changed into real interest and many men and women found their way to Islam. This, in turn, was intolerable for the leading men in the city. They talked among themselves and decided to boycott the Muslims and their families. Nobody was to buy anything from them or sell them anything, and nobody was to get married with one of them any more. This decision was written up and displayed at the Ka'ba. The Muslims had to leave their houses to live in a barren valley in the desert.

Soon their supplies were finished and the clothes worn out. Sometimes the men went hunting and brought an animal to eat, and the women gathered herbs and roots. They had a lot of good ideas when it came to using the few things they had in the most efficient way. However, in order to eat properly they would have had to buy grain in the city, but this was not possible. As long as there was some money left they could occasionally buy some milk from the shepherds for the children or a warm blanket of goat's hair. In the course of time Khadija shared everything she had with poorer Muslims and often gave up things when she felt that others needed them more than her. She often asked Allah to soften the hard hearts of the Meccans. Winter was coming, and without good food and clothes it would be very difficult for the Muslims.

It was really a miracle for them when one day in the morning a camel came running into the valley. It was laden with food and warm clothes like a gift from heaven. It looked like a runaway camel, but the Muslims could see that it belonged to Hisham bin Amr whose mother belonged to the Prophet's clan and who had opposed the boycott right from the beginning. Now he had secretly loaded his camel with all these good things and brought it out during the night, taken off its bridle and given it a strong kick so that it ran straight to the Muslim's camp. He did this again and again whenever he had an opportunity so that they were at least saved from starvation and protected against the severest cold.

During the sacred months nobody could keep the Muslim from going into the city because all fighting and quarrelling was strictly forbidden. The idolaters could only pretend they did not notice them. However, the Prophet and the Muslims could talk to the strangers who did business in the market and performed the pilgrimage. Thus Islam became known far beyond the Hijaz. But as soon as the sacred months were over, the Muslims were to stay in their valley and virtually were under siege.

Soon the next winter approached. In the desert the nights can be freezing cold. The Muslims were weakened from hunger, and many became ill, especially children and elderly people. None of them knew what would become of them. They only knew that Allah would never let them down even though He would sometimes make them undergo a severe test. From this conviction they again and again gained hope. They were faithful and patient, standing by the Prophet's side and honouring Khadija who was like a mother to all of them. She was always there with her help, advice, and comfort. She taught the younger generation and was a model for them. She encouraged those who were about to give up hope. But Khadija also felt that she became old and her own strength was leaving her. When she was alone, she sometimes remembered her girlhood and her dreams. Her greatest wish had been fulfilled: the expected messenger of Allah had come and brought a revelation that showed the way for a happy and peaceful future for all nations. And she had been able to be there to help him in this difficult time in his life. But would this vision of the future ever come true? Would the hatred of the idolaters ever find an end? Would Zeinab's husband find a way to Islam, would Ruqayyah be able to come back from exile, would Umm Kulthum and Fatima start a family and have children? Would the boys and girls who were growing up now, struggling for their survival, be able to worship Allah in peace and security and build up a just society?

Once when she came to the Prophet lost in these thoughts, he said to her, "Gabriel has just been here and said to me, 'When Khadija comes, in a little while, then greet her from her Lord and from me. She is one of the best women in the world, like Maryam, the mother of 'Isa. Comfort her and tell her of the promise that she will have a beautiful house in paradise where there is neither want nor trouble.'"

The boycott lasted for three years. Many young people in Mecca were impressed by the patience of the Muslims and started to think about Islam. When Abu Bakr was permitted to live in one of his friends' house in the city for some time and recited the Qur'an aloud there everyday, many young people, women and slaves secretly met nearby in order to listen, and nobody could stop them. Still Hisham bin Amr made his camel ran into the valley by night as often as he could. Some close friends helped him in that. But one man alone could not feed a whole lot of Muslims for long.

Finally Hisham could not tolerate the situation any longer. He went to see his friend Zuhair bin Umayyah whose mother Atikah was an aunt of the Prophet's, and said to him, "How can you eat and enjoy your life while our own relatives out there in the valley are starving and suffering?" Zuhair replied, "I would have done something about it long ago if someone had come along with me, because I was against the boycott from the very beginning." " "You found one supporter already," replied Hisham. "Who would that be?" asked Zuhair and looked at his friend in surprise when he said, "Me." In the same way Hisham talked to three more of his friends, and the five young men then got up during a council meeting in order to protest against the boycott. "This is a conspiracy and treachery against us," shouted Abu Jahl who, in spite of his intelligence had this nickname "Father of Ignorance" because he was extremely unreasonable and did not want to accept the most obvious things. He was one of the worst enemies of the Prophet. Hisham replied, "No, we have always been against the boycott, and I will not sit down quietly until this disgusting document has been destroyed and declared invalid." At this, others became more confident and agreed with him. Then Hisham himself went to the Ka'ba in order to pull down the boycott declaration and to destroy it. But he only found that the ants had eaten the paper except for the headline, "In Your Name, O Allah."

Thus the boycott was finished, and the Muslims could return to their homes in the city and continue their business life. Abu Talib who had become old and sick died soon after his return. During the years of the boycott, the Muslims had lost a great part of their property. Now they tried very hard to get their business going again. It was especially hard for Khadija and Muhammad because they had had a special responsibility for the Muslims, and Khadija had spent all her property for their cause so that nearly nothing was left for herself and for her family. She did not have the strength to build up her business again. The long struggle had affected her health in a way that she did not recover any more. She knew that she had reached the end of her life in this world. But she was happy that she had again and again experienced how Allah looks after the believers and rewards the patient ones, and she died in peace.